The aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, was operating in the vicinity of Hit, Iraq, while conducting overhead presence and security in support of Iraqi and multinational troops.

The plane recovered safely aboard Carl Vinson after the mission.

The Carl Vinson Strike Group is charged with a variety of missions. Aircraft from CVW-9 are flying patrols over Iraq and the Gulf to lend assistance to multinational forces if needed. Surface ships, under the command of Destroyer Squadron 31, join the multinational forces in the Gulf conducting Maritime Security Operations, which include protecting Iraqi oil platforms that provide a critical source of income for the new Iraqi government.

The squadrons of CVW-9 include the Blue Diamonds of VFA-146, the Argonauts of VFA-147, the Black Knights of VFA-154, the Death Rattlers of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 323, the Screwbirds of Sea Control Squadron 33, the Golden Hawks of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112, the Yellow Jackets of Electronic Attack Squadron 138, the Providers of Carrier Logistics Support Squadron 30, and the Eightballers of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 8.